Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu spoke about the progress of work on the “Zangezur corridor.” As reported by APA, the minister noted that repair works have already begun on a 224-kilometer section on the Turkish side.

“Work on the Azerbaijani side is close to completion. A contractor agreement has been signed for the Zangezur corridor, but construction has not yet started. I believe it will begin soon without serious delays. On the Nakhchivan side, there is a section of 180 kilometers. Part of it will be repaired, part will be newly built. On our side, construction has already begun on a 224-kilometer section,” the minister said.

It should be recalled that the project is intended to connect Central Asia and further China with the Black Sea region. However, the terminology used by the Turkish minister raises many questions. The project on the Nakhchivan–Armenia–Azerbaijan route is referred to in Baku as the “Zangezur corridor,” while in Armenia the section passing through Syunik (Zangezur) has been named the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP). Armenian authorities explain the Azerbaijani term “Zangezur corridor” by noting that adjacent Azerbaijani districts are also called “Zangezur.” However, Turkey’s claim of involvement in the “Zangezur corridor” can be interpreted only as implying territorial claims.